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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Wax Stain Rookie: Brandon Whitney

Wax Stain Wednesday is a regular feature on Dirty Dangle. Our pal Dave at Wax Stain Rookie is an avid autograph and card collector and has some amazing experiences to share with us. WARNING: these posts may make you want to buy a Beckett and get those dusty hockey cards out from under your bed that you hide from your girlfriend like a secret porn collection.

Brandon Whitney is the topic of this week’s post. Who you say? Brandon Whitney was the 7th round selection of the Chicago Blackhawks in this year’s entry draft. Brandon also happens to have grown up about 20 minutes from my house. I was lucky enough to have met him a couple months ago thanks to a couple of students I teach. Brandon had just returned from overseas where he won the bronze medal with Team Canada at the IIHF World U18 Championships.

When you first look at Brandon, your immediately notice his height. Brandon is listed at 6’5” and I am sure he still has some growing to do since he just turned 18 in May. My first impression after talking to him was that he was a very nice kid who was rather down to Earth and modest. I really enjoyed chatting with him about his season, and prospects for the fall. He had just finished an amazing season with the Victoriaville Tigres in the QMJHL. His final regular season numbers were 22-4-4 with a 2.74 GAA. Brandon’s GAA was good enough for 6th in the league and first among QMJHL rookies.

I want to wish Brandon nothing but the best and thank him for both the card and the autograph!

This upcoming season, I suspect that the Blackhawks will take their time with Brandon and give him another season or two of junior before he will see some pro action. Brandon was also invited to the Team Canada U20 camp, which is very cool. Hopefully we will see him this Christmas playing for Team Canada!

About Dirty Dangle

Dirty Dangle Hockey is Toby and Mark Mead. Showcasing the lighter side of hockey as you need to have a sense of humour growing up a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. You can follow us on Twitter, like Dirty Dangle on FacebookFacebookor shoot us an email any time at dirtydangle@hotmail.ca